In the Sept 9, 2010 issue of Neuron, Neurogenetic Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NGP) reports proof of concept studies that show its proprietary compound, NGP 555, is effective in preventing the amyloid pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in a transgenic mouse model. The study further demonstrates that following chronic treatment with the gamma secretase modulator (GSM) compound from NGP, the mice were devoid of gastrointestinal side effects, an adverse finding commonly associated with gamma secretase inhibitors (GSIs). A major pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease is an abundance of neuritic plaques in key areas of the brain involved in memory and cognition. Decades of studies have confirmed that Aβ42 forms the "seed" of these amyloid plaques, which gradually accumulate in the brain and induce neuronal cell death in the underlying brain tissue. This "toxic" molecule is generated by a stepwise process involving a pivotal enzyme, gamma secretase. Modification of gamma secretase activity to decrease production of Aβ42, thereby reducing the deposits of Aβ42 -seeded plaques, would be beneficial for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease-related pathology.

"We are pleased to make public these data on our gamma secretase modulator, NGP 555," said Dr. William T. Comer, President and CEO of Neurogenetic Pharmaceuticals. "Deposition of amyloid plaques can precede dementia by many years, and the progression of plaques to dementia reflects neuronal loss which is irreversible. We believe that halting this gradual progression of AD from pathology to dementia represents a major unmet need, especially given the growth of an aging population and the enormous cost to society for care and hospitalization. Recent advances in the use of A biomarkers in the cerebrospinal fluid and brain scans should permit early diagnosis of AD pathology and allow us to show that NGP 555 prevents the amyloid pathology."

The work published in Neuron is the first to describe these mechanistically and biochemically distinct GSM compounds and how they provide a more selective mechanism than GSIs. The key advantages of these small molecules include reduction of the "toxic" form of beta amyloid (Aβ42), direct binding to components of the gamma secretase complex, and excellent brain exposure. The paper demonstrated that Neurogenetic Pharmaceuticals' approach of gamma secretase modulation allows for selective reduction of Aβ42 and amyloid pathology. Oral administration of NGP 555 (identified as compound 4 in Neuron) in transgenic AD mice resulted in a dose-related lowering of both plasma and brain Aβ42. Chronic daily administration for 7 months led to significant reduction in both diffuse and neuritic plaques, without the GI-related side effects found with GSI compounds, according to the paper in Neuron. The work, conducted by researchers at TorreyPines Therapeutics (TPTX) in collaboration with academic institutions, concludes that these types of GSM compounds warrant further investigation as a potentially safe and effective approach for prevention of AD.

"This study links A biomarker and pathology findings with a mechanistic understanding of how our compounds selectively target a key enzyme involved in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease," said Maria Z. Kounnas, Ph.D., lead author on the study and vice president of Alzheimer's Research at NGP. "Combining early disease identification with a treatment capable of preventing AD-related pathology, such as NGP 555, would represent an important advance in our ability to prevent AD or hinder its progression to dementia. Clearly, the earlier AD is detected and treated, the better the likelihood of a good outcome."